NWCI welcomes strengthening of proposed abortion care legislation

Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2018

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today welcomed the Government’s commitment to ensure universality of access and the inclusion of safe-access zones in the forthcoming legislation for abortion care in Ireland.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,

“We welcome and have previously called for the inclusion of these two important policy areas in the forthcoming legislation. Universal access is crucial to ensure that cost is not a barrier. Termination services should be publicly-funded, available through the public health system and receive appropriate funding to ensure timely access.  Furthermore, safe access zones outside maternity hospitals and primary care centres are necessary to protect women and their healthcare providers.”

Orla O’Connor continued,

“NWCI is calling for the legislation to be named Savita’s Law in memory of Savita Halappanavar. It is important this legislation is progressed through the Oireachtas as soon as possible so that women have access to abortion care in Ireland. Every day at least 9 women are travelling outside of Ireland to access abortion services and more women are taking abortion pills ordered over the Internet. The referendum has given a clear mandate to the Oireachtas to change our laws and ensure women who need an abortion can access care here in Ireland.”

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